How to Grow Bananas in a Pot

Plant the Banana in a Container

• 1

  Purchase a container that is large enough to hold a 10-foot plant. A pot that is at least 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep or 25 gallons should provide ample space for a small banana plant. Consider the material of the container also; those made out of lightweight materials may topple easily on windy days. Clay pots are a sturdier, albeit more expensive, option. The container also needs to allow for adequate drainage.

• 2

  Fill the container with a loose, fertile potting mix or a mixture of equal parts sand, peat and bark or perlite. The potting mix needs to allow for sufficient, but not rapid, drainage. Bananas grow best in acidic soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 6.5. Increase the soil's acidity and drainage by adding organic matter.

• 3

  Select a compact banana variety that doesn't grow as tall as other banana varieties. Cultivars like Canary, Chinese and Cavendish grow 10 feet tall. Other suitable varieties include Apple banana trees and Dwarf Mexican, which produce short plump fruits. Purchase banana rhizomes, which are cuttings taken from a mother plant, from a reputable nursery or grower. The best rhizomes have some roots from the mother plant. Plant the rhizome close to the surface. Mature leaves are cut off the rhizome, leaving only young leaves or no leaves.

Maintain Banana Plant Container

• 4

  Place the banana container in a warm area where it receives full sunlight. Bananas grow best in areas that average 80 degrees Fahrenheit and stay above 65 degrees in the winter. In cool regions, move banana containers to a warmer location when temperatures get too cold and supplement with artificial light if necessary.

• 5

  Water the banana plant container regularly. Banana plants have large leaves that require a lot of moisture. When the first inch or two of the soil feels dry, water the banana plant container. Some variables that affect the rate of water consumption include the container material, potting mix and weather conditions. Don't allow the container to sit in a tray of water to avoid diseases.

• 6

  Fertilize banana pots regularly because they are heavy feeders. Use a high potassium fertilizer like 3-1-6 or equivalent, and sprinkle with Epsom salts every two or three months for magnesium. Other micronutrients that bananas require include manganese and iron; add these micronutrients to the banana plant once or twice a year.